Greatest of All Time: Rob Halford Honored with Permanent Statue at Birmingham’s Velvet Plaza…..
BIRMINGHAM, UK — Heavy metal icon Rob Halford of Judas Priest has been officially recognized as one of music’s true greats with the unveiling of a permanent statue in his honor at Birmingham’s Velvet Plaza. The life-size bronze tribute celebrates the career of one of metal’s most powerful vocalists and cultural trailblazers, whose influence on the genre and beyond is impossible to overstate.
Hundreds of fans and local dignitaries gathered to witness the ceremony on Saturday, which took place just a stone’s throw away from the streets where Halford was raised. The permanent installation stands as a powerful testament to Halford’s enduring legacy as a singer, songwriter, style icon, and LGBTQ+ pioneer who broke barriers in heavy music.
“Rob Halford is one of the greatest vocalists in all of rock,” said Birmingham’s Lord Mayor at the unveiling. “This city is proud to call him one of our own. This statue will inspire future generations of musicians and remind everyone who visits of his significant cultural impact.”
A true son of the Midlands, Halford rose to prominence in the 1970s as frontman of Judas Priest. With classic albums like British Steel, Screaming for Vengeance, and Painkiller, Halford became one of heavy metal’s defining voices, helping establish the sound, style, and swagger of a genre that went on to conquer the world.
The singer himself appeared at the event, visibly moved as the shroud was pulled back to reveal the gleaming effigy of his likeness. Dressed in his signature leather and studs and sporting his iconic mirrored sunglasses, the statue perfectly captures Halford’s commanding stage presence. “I’m truly humbled,” Halford told the crowd. “This city gave me my start, my voice, my heart. To have this tribute here forever is more than I could have hoped for. Thank you for embracing me and my music for all these years.”
In addition to celebrating Halford’s contributions to rock and metal, speakers at the ceremony acknowledged his role as an LGBTQ+ trailblazer in a genre often associated with machismo and rebellion. Halford’s decision to come out publicly in 1998 was met with widespread support and changed perceptions in heavy music forever. “Rob’s courage and authenticity have helped so many feel seen and heard,” said a local fan at the ceremony. “That’s part of what makes him truly the greatest of all time.”
The installation is already proving to be a major tourist draw for Velvet Plaza, a recently redeveloped public space dedicated to showcasing local cultural heroes. Birmingham officials hope that the statue will encourage even more music fans and visitors to explore the city’s rich musical history, from Black Sabbath to Duran Duran and beyond.
As the crowd dispersed to the sound of Judas Priest classics blaring through nearby speakers, one thing was clear: Rob Halford’s influence will never fade. Immortalized in bronze, forever a part of the Birmingham landscape, Halford’s status as a true metal legend and the greatest of all time is now set in stone.
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